Pigeon’s Roller Rink, located at the 2ND & PCH shopping center, will soon close its doors.
Though Pigeon’s initially reported online that the roller rink was closing as a result of changes to the property made by the city — the business later updated that statement, saying they had made a mistake.
In fact, Pigeon’s had been on a short-term lease since it moved into 2ND & PCH, which is not being renewed as property owners CenterCal Properties begin looking for new tenants for a portion of the retail space.
“We’re heartbroken to share that we are being forced to close our Long Beach roller rink at 2nd & PCH,” the business’ owner, Shayna Meikle, wrote in a Tuesday, Feb. 24, social media post.
Pigeon’s Roller Rink, at 2ND & PCH, will soon be closing its doors. (Photo by Jo Murray).
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Pigeon’s Roller Rink, at 2ND & PCH, will soon be closing its doors. (Photo by Jo Murray).
Meikle, in the post, said that Long Beach is “now enforcing the original construction permits that require the unit to be enclosed as a standard retail space,” despite the roller rink’s operation in the currently open-air space for the past five years.
“Construction to convert the space will begin this spring,” Meikle said.
That information, however, was not correct. The city’s Community Development Department, in a Wednesday, Feb. 25 statement, said that Long Beach was not involved in any changes to the retail space (which is owned by CenterCal Properties).
“The City of Long Beach did not initiate any change regarding the status of Pigeon’s Roller Rink at 2ND & PCH. Neither the Building and Safety Bureau nor the Planning Bureau have taken any enforcement action regarding the site,” according to the statement from a Community Development Department spokesperson.
CenterCal, rather, submitted a request in January to create two new storefronts in the retail space currently occupied by Pigeon’s Roller Rink, the spokesperson said, after raising the matter with the Community Development Department in December.
“Any decision to ‘force’ Pigeon from that site did not involve the Long Beach Community Development Department’s Building and Safety or Planning Bureaus,” according to the department.
CenterCal, in addition, said that from the start of Pigeon’s tenancy at 2ND & PCH, the business was on a short-term lease. The contract initially started as a 90-day special lease, according to CenterCal senior general manager Samantha Lopez, and then converted to a month-to-month lease.
CenterCal is currently in negotiations for a potential new tenant for a portion of the retail space.
“We’re very sad to see them go,” said Lopez, who noted that CenterCal had been having issues with Pigeon’s despite its ongoing efforts to help the business find a new space to lease.
“With the understanding that 8,000 square feet is your minimum requirement, we’ve kept that front of mind and have been doing our best to identify the strongest relocation options that align with your needs,” Lopez wrote in an email to Pigeon’s owner Meikle. “We’re starting to see some negative PR circulating, which is disappointing, especially where it reflects an inaccurate narrative.”
Pigeon’s, meanwhile, later updated its initial social media post announcing the closure — which said the city was responsible for the changes — clarifying that the decision was actually made by the property owners.
“(The) city of LB contacted us and they allegedly put no pressure on 2nd & PCH,” the social media post said, “and it was in fact the landlord’s decision to complete this construction.”
Elliot Fromm, the general manager at Pigeon’s, also said the initial information shared on the social media post was incorrect.
“That was a mistake,” Fromm said in a Tuesday, March 3 statement. “The city has nothing to do with our closure.”
It’s not the end of the story for Pigeon’s Roller Rink, though, as the business is looking for a new home somewhere else in Long Beach.
“We need help spreading the word,” Meikle said of the roller rink’s search for a new home. “Roller rinks require a lot of square footage, and traditional corporate lease rates simply don’t work for a community-driven space like ours. Instead, we operate on a revenue-share model with landlords…a model that works beautifully in areas that need activation.”
That model, she continued, works because the roller rink brings thousands of skaters to the rink each month — who help boost the local economy by dining, eating, and shopping at other nearby businesses.
“If you know of a space in Long Beach that needs energy, movement, and community,” Meikle said, “send them our way.”
Skaters, meanwhile, will still be able to use the rink until its final day in operation March 13.
Any skaters with memberships to the rink will have payments halted and subscriptions canceled, the business said; and all Pigeon’s Roller Rink merchandise will be 30% off at the counter starting on March 1.
New businesses
Several new businesses will soon open — or have recently opened up — in Long Beach, ranging from burger spots to hot dog stands.
Marina Pacifica will soon welcome Proudly Serving, a burger restaurant that originally started as a smashburger pop-up. Matthew McIvor, the founder, started Proudly Serving in his driveway after the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the success of the pop-up, Proudly Serving opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Redondo Beach in 2022, followed by an additional location in Hermosa Beach. And now, Proudly Serving’s offerings are coming to Long Beach.
Proudly Serving is best known for its smashburgers, of course — but their fries and tots, which are fried in rendered duck fat, are also a hit. The restaurant also makes several sauces in-house, including their own special sauce, a zesty ranch, and a malt vinegar aioli.
The new restaurant will open in the former Beasties location the Marina Pacifica Shopping Center by mid-March.
North Long Beach also recently welcomed a new burger spot.
The restaurant, dubbed StormBurger, originated in Inglewood and is committed to giving back to the community, according to its website.
StormBurger is located at 5801 Cherry Ave., in the former home of Church’s Chicken. They serve potato brioche buns toasted with clarified butter, making a crisp, delicate crust that resists sogginess.
Their patties use a chuck, brisket, and steak-trim blend sourced from local butcher, Rocker Bros. — and their buns are made fresh every day by an Inglewood bakery run by a father-son duo, according to StormBurger’s website.
But aside from the food, StormBurger also does community work.
“We believe in giving back and prioritizing people first,” StormBurger said. “We actively partner and engage with local schools, youth sports organizations, mentorship programs, churches, senior centers, and more. When you lead with love and take pride in service, people come back.”
StormBurger is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. An additional StormBurger location in Compton is also in the works, according to the company’s website.
Mooney’s Pizza Tavern, a new family-owned and operated spot, opened Friday, Feb. 27.
The restaurant is located at 8105 E. Wardlow Road, in the former Huff’s Family Restaurant. The new owners have renovated the space into a nostalgia-rich tavern.
Patrons love the restaurant’s squeakers — fried cheese curds with marinara sauce — which are getting rave reviews. They’re crispy on the outside, but perfectly soft inside.
Other Mooney’s Pizza Tavern favorites include the brussels sprouts and house bread, which are frequently mentioned for their fantastic flavor. Pizza-wise, the ragu pizza and eggplant parmesan have been cited as favorites, and reviewers say the crusts have great texture and flavor.
Owners Hal and Cindy Mooney have also set up an interesting contest for restaurant-goers to participate in. While renovating the restaurant, the Mooney’s uncovered an old safe, which they were unable to open.
Patrons will be able to purchase raffle tickets at the restaurant, and whoever wins the contest will get the contents of whatever is inside that old safe once they get it open.
And if there’s nothing inside — the winner will be treated to free pizza for a year.
Glizzy Street, run by twins Chazz and Chase, have officially opened their popular bacon-wrapped hot dog stand in front of Parktake Collection at 456 Elm St. on Saturday, Feb. 28.
The twins have been running their hot dog stand since they were 15, bringing the pop-up to locations all over Long Beach and the South Bay.
“Thank you to everyone who pulled up and supported our Grand Opening — the energy was super cool,” Chazz and Chase said on social media. “We’re officially in our next chapter: new carts, new location, and big goals ahead. Long Beach is just the beginning… next stop, stadiums.”
Glizzy Street will be open Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The hot dogs cost $5 each.
Anna’s Joint will be opening a second location soon, with the soft opening planned for Wednesday, March 4.
The new spot will be located on Second Street in Belmont Shore, and they’ll be serving pizza by the slice, sandwiches, and more.
Long Beach Clothing Co.
Long Beach Clothing Company, owned by Cynthia and Shawn Moore, are hoping to give long-forgotten local memorabilia a new life.
The duo have asked the community to raid their old boxes, garages, and attics to see if they’re holding on to any interesting piece of Long Beach history, which they’re planning to put on display in their store.
“We’re making room in our stores to celebrate and share the rich history of Long Beach — and we need your help. By donating your Long Beach memorabilia, you’re helping us to preserve local stories, showcase pieces of our city’s past and make Long Beach history accessible to everyone in the community,” Cynthia Moore posted on social media.
One person has already offered to donate a collection of Long Beach Grand Prix programs and tickets.
Long Beach Clothing Co.’s Bixby Knolls location already features a collection of framed tattoo art; while the Belmont Shore spot has high ceilings and large beams suitable to house larger items of local history.
“If interested in donating, please send us a message or email us,” Moore said. “Let’s keep Long Beach history alive — together!”
Donors can email sales@longbeachclothing.com or go to longbeachclothing.com.
Keepsake coins
LB Swag is now offering unique keepsake coins — locally designed and made — featuring the city’s iconic Queen Mary, according to owner Annie Mekertichian reports.
A keepsake coin, featuring the Queen Mary, for sale at LB Swag in Belmont Shore. (Photo by Jo Murray).
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A keepsake coin, featuring the Queen Mary, for sale at LB Swag in Belmont Shore. (Photo by Jo Murray).
These make great gifts, and can’t be purchased anywhere else. They cost $30 each.